Castle Cornelia (Day 199)

I have been very harsh on the Final Fantasy series mostly because I love it. I've finished just about every title from the series and consider myself very knowledgeable about it as a whole--but I don't hesitate to point out the numerous flaws where I see them. Despite the flaws present in every game in the series, I still feel like every one of them is worth playing and probably even finishing--which is why I'm finally attempting to get through the first two games of the series now.

I had the option of playing the PSP versions, but decided against it after doing some research. In all honestly, these versions are probably objectively superior, not only graphically but in gameplay as well--but they're also streamlined and made more approachable for a newer audience. These are things I can't fault Square-Enix for doing and if we're being honest I'd like to play these versions some day. However, for now I'd like to experience the games as they were originally intended--as a more hardcore experience targeted toward an entirely different demographic. Items are very expensive and extensive grinding is required to progress. In this way, Final Fantasy Origins is very true to the original titles, with only a few allowances for the sake of convenience.

I have dismissed these first two Final Fantasy titles as tedious on multiple occasions, but I've always harbored the desire to finish them. I've put about five hours into it so far and I'm enjoying it despite the usual frustrations associated with the game. It's time consuming and repetitive, but also satisfying to see my characters slowly ramp up in power--and it's satisfying to delve deep into a dangerous cave and make it out alive without suffering casualties. It's satisfying to amass great amounts of gil and have what I need to purchase expensive upgrades to my equipment. The gameplay itself is not challenging, but it's like a war of attrition. The game throws wave after wave of enemies at me, wearing me down over time. I am forced to deal with status ailments and a lack of resources at my disposal. I have to plan ahead or I'll be punished for it.

I would have to worry about none of these things in the PSP versions--and perhaps not in the GBA versions either. And I would probably enjoy them more in the short term--and I'd be happy to have completed at least one version of these games. But when I get through these versions, which are so true to the originals, I'll feel like I've actually accomplished something closer to what was originally intended. It's not a feeling I experience all that often with newer RPGs. It's often a casual experience where I breeze through. I feel no frustration and I have fun, but I don't feel as accomplished once I make progress. It reminds me of the Persona games. I absolutely love the series, but it was frequently incredibly frustrating climbing floor after floor and fighting off waves of enemies--only to die and lose hours of progress. But when I finally made it, that was a great feeling.

I can't imagine I'll ever think of Final Fantasy as one of my favorites in the series, but it feels so weird that I've never finished this title that influenced so many games that came after it. It's interesting to see how the series has developed over time--and above all else, it's still a fun game despite its flaws.